THE DEPARTMENT of Education has allotted P997.48 million to address the needs of schools participating in the expanded phase of limited face-to-face classes.

Education Undersecretary for Finance Annalyn Sevilla said that the agency met with the concerned regional directors to discuss the budget.

Sevilla noted that P977.4 million will fund the schools’ Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses.

“Marami po sa mga pondo na atin pong pinaghahandaan ay ‘yon pong physical arrangements ng eskuwelahan, ‘yon pong protection and safety ng mga learners at mga guro, at siyempre po ‘yong mga learning resources na kailangan natin,” she said.

Elementary schools, which handle Kindergarten to Grade 6 students, will receive the largest share at P531.36 million.

Junior high schools which cover Grade 7 to 10 will get P303.62 million while senior high schools that teach Grade 11 to 12 will receive P142.49 million.

“These amounts are to be downloaded or released to the Regional Offices. The Regional Directors are authorized to allocate the said amounts among schools considering the implementation status of face-to-face classes in their respective regions,” DepEd said.

Among the regional offices, Central Luzon will receive the highest budget of P80.08 million.

“Some 4.24 percent or P41.48 million in the MOOE will be retained in the DepEd Central Office as a contingency fund,” it said.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones reported on Wednesday that at least 4,295 schools are holding limited physical classes.

More than 6,000 primary and secondary schools are eligible to reopen after two years of distance learning.